Mepco nicked 8,939 pilferers in 3 months

MULTANThe Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) has caught 8,939 power pilferers in the collaboration with district task forces and FIA in a crackdown during the months of July, August and September, disclosed a report compiled by the Mepco.The report further revealed that fine worth over Rs203 million was imposed on the power thieves while applications for registration of cases against 5,464 accused were filed with the police concerned. At least 2,386 accused are so far booked while action is underway for the registration of cases against the others.According to details, as many as 1,871 domestic, commercial, industrial and tube-well consumers were caught red handed stealing electricity in Multan district and fine worth over Rs74.3 million was imposed on them besides registration 329 cases. Similarly, fine worth Rs20 million was imposed on 728 power thieves in Khanewal while 124 FIRs were registered against them. As many as 1077 power pilferers were caught in Dera Ghazi Khan and fine worth Rs12.7 million was imposed on them. In Rajanpur district, a total of 1444 power thieves were caught and fined to the tune of Rs6.9 million besides registration of 207 cases. The number of cases registered against electricity thieves in Vehari stood at 176 as fine worth about Rs11 million was imposed on 374 accused. In Bahawalpur district, a total of 258 consumers were caught red handed stealing electricity, and thus fined Rs5.8 million. A total of 141 power pilferers were traced in Lodhran and Rs4.7 million fine was imposed on them. The number of power theft cases traced in Sahiwal stood at 184 while over Rs10 million fine was imposed on the thieves. Similarly, as many as 201 consumers were caught red handed in Pakpattan and fine worth Rs 5.3 million was imposed on them, 877 Rahim Yar Khan and fine worth Rs9.3 million, 1518 Muzaffargarh and fine worth Rs36.6 million, 123 Layyah and fine worth Rs2.2 million and Bahawalnagar 143 and fine worth Rs4.3 million.

This news was published in The Nation newspaper. Read complete newspaper of 01-Oct-2013 here.